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Medical Marijuana

New Haven Register, 15 Feb 2015 - When Connecticut passed its medical marijuana program in 2012, Meehan said she was "ecstatic" until she saw the 18-year-old age limitation, which left her "devastated ... crushed." Cyndimae Meehan, 12 years old, was suffering as many as 2,000 seizures a day from a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet's syndrome.

The Middletown Press, 15 Feb 2015 - Cyndimae Meehan, 12 years old, was suffering as many as 2,000 seizures a day from a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet's syndrome. The condition, which she developed at 10 months old (one day after she had been vaccinated, though the connection is unknown) jerks her body violently, over and over. The only thing that has helped has been marijuana, which she consumes in oil form.

Jerusalem Post, 15 Feb 2015 - "You know, it's a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob, what is the matter with them?" That was President Richard Nixon speaking to his top aide, H.R. "Bob" Haldeman, during a recorded White House meeting back in 1971.

Albuquerque Journal, 15 Feb 2015 - $700 Million in Sales Last Year $1 Billion Predicted by 2016 WASHINGTON - Legal marijuana was a $700 million dollar industry in Colorado last year, according to a Washington Post analysis of recently released tax data from the state's Department of Revenue. In 2014, Colorado retailers sold $386 million of medical marijuana and $313 million for purely recreational purposes. The two segments of the market generated $63 million in tax revenue, with an additional $13 million collected in licenses and fees.

Washington Post, 15 Feb 2015 - Legal marijuana was a $700 million industry in Colorado last year, according to a Washington Post analysis of recently released tax data from the state's Department of Revenue. In 2014, Colorado retailers sold $386 million of medical marijuana and $313 million for recreational purposes. The two segments of the market generated $63 million in tax revenue and $13 million in licenses and fees. The total economic impact of the state's marijuana industry is likely greater, as these figures don't include retail sales of related products, like pipes and bongs, and they don't account for increased tourist spending in other segments of Colorado's economy, like hotels and restaurants.

Morning Journal, 15 Feb 2015 - A great deal of debate and conversation is needed about whether the city of Lorain is a good fit for a marijuana growing or processing facility. Last week, ResponsibleOhio, a political action committee, released its draft language for a constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational use in Ohio. The amendment language includes the nearly 77 acres in Lorain's Riverbend Commerce Park off Colorado Avenue. The committee also identified nine other Ohio sites.

Register Citizen, 14 Feb 2015 - Marijuana is now legal in several states out west, and the world has yet to end. That's part of why two Connecticut lawmakers, Reps. Edwin Vargas, D-Hartford, and Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, want to bring legalization east. Is that a good idea? What will happen if we fully legalize marijuana?

The Middletown Press, 14 Feb 2015 - Marijuana is now legal in several states out west, and the world has yet to end. Legalization brings revenue. Marijuana is now legal in several states out west, and the world has yet to end. That's part of why two Connecticut lawmakers, Reps. Edwin Vargas, D-Hartford, and Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, want to bring legalization east. Is that a good idea? What will happen if we fully legalize marijuana?

Chicago Sun-Times, 14 Feb 2015 - The conflict between the states and the federal government when it comes to legalized medical marijuana may play out in an Illinois court. What is believed to be the first lawsuit regarding medical marijuana licenses in Illinois was filed Friday in downstate Coles County by a business that lost out in its bid to get a license to grow medical marijuana.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 14 Feb 2015 - JUNEAU - With 10 days before marijuana becomes legal through November's voter initiative, a senator working closely on legislation intended to smooth out legal gray areas in criminal law says the bill won't be in place before Feb. 24. After a lengthy Senate Judiciary Committee meeting that touched on a wide array of topics, Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, said several issues still need to be addressed, including medical marijuana, marijuana concentrates, local option control of marijuana in rural communities, and how penalties for minors possessing and consuming marijuana will be handled.

Boston Globe, 14 Feb 2015 - It can happen any time, at home or, as it did recently, in public: Cindy and Keith Gedick of Palmer had to bundle their daughter out of a bookstore when she began to have a screaming meltdown. They were followed by a few customers who thought the little girl was being abused. "We call it the red zone," says Cindy. "You can't touch her; you can't talk to her. She's just unglued."

Final marijuana sales figures are in for Colorado, twin legalization bills are filed in Maryland, a second Ohio legalization initiative campaign gets underway, a federal judge orders the Kettle Falls Five to trial, and more. Let's get to it:

[image:1 align:left]Marijuana Policy

$700 Million in Legal Weed Sales for Colorado Last Year. According to the state Department of Revenue, total legal marijuana sales in 2014 amounted to $699,198,805. That's $385.9 million for medical marijuana and $313.2 million for recreational weed. Since 2014 was the rollout year for legal recreational marijuana sales in the state, look for that figure to increase next year.

Maryland Legalization Bills Introduced. Identical bills to tax, regulate, and legalize marijuana were filed in the state House and Senate last week. Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County) and Del. Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore) filed the bills, which would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce and grow six plants at their homes and set up a system of regulated marijuana commerce. The Senate version is Senate Bill 531; the House version is House Bill 911.

Second Ohio Legalization Initiative Coming. A second Ohio group wants to put legalization on the 2016 ballot. Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis is turning in a ballot petition and 1,000 preliminary signatures today for its proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana. The amendment would legalize marijuana for those 18 and older, allow for marijuana commerce, and allow non-commercial grows of up to 99 plants and possession of up to 99 pounds. Another group, Responsible Ohio, is also in the early stages of its petition drive. The Responsible Ohio measure would set up 10 designated commercial grows and has no provision for home grows.

Medical Marijuana

Federal Judge Rejects "Kettle Falls 5" Request to Throw Out Charges. Five Washington state medical marijuana patients being prosecuted by federal authorities will have to go to trial. A federal judge Thursday refused to dismiss the criminal case against them, even though the prosecution appears to violate Justice Department guidelines for medical marijuana prosecutions and even though marijuana is now legal in their state.

Drug Testing

West Virginia Food Stamps Drug Testing Bill Filed. After a month of deliberations, the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources has announced a bill that would create a one-year pilot program in which food stamp applicants in three counties would be subject to screening for drug use and some would be required to take and pass drug tests at their own expense. The measure is House Bill 2021.

Massive Raid on Liverpool Nightclub. Garlands nightclub, one of the city's oldest and most popular, has been shut down after a massive police raid Thursday night. More than 140 officers stormed the club after a months-long investigation into drug sales at the venue. Police were seeking a court hearing today to shut it down permanently. More than 300 revelers were evicted from the club before police searched it. Police said they found large quantities of drugs on the scene, but only arrested two men.

Coast Reporter, 13 Feb 2015 - Weeds Glass and Gifts, Vancouver's largest chain of medical marijuana dispensaries, is poised to open a store in downtown Sechelt - even though Sunshine Coast RCMP is "strongly encouraging" the company to reconsider its decision. "Ideally we'd like to save them all the hassle and money and tell them that this isn't something we would stand by and allow to happen in our community," detachment spokesman Const. Harrison Mohr said Tuesday.

Wall Street Journal, 13 Feb 2015 - On a recent episode of ABC's popular comedy "Modern Family," the new couple next door to the Dunphy family has an unusual line of work: They own a marijuana dispensary. But nobody on the show seems to care, and when the Dunphys get into a feud with the neighbors, it's about something entirely different-the eyesore powerboat parked in their driveway. It was not always thus in TV-land, where pot has been a long-standing taboo. Even a comedy with lots of jokes about the stuff, "That '70s Show," never showed anyone actually lighting up. While movies and music embraced stoners, they were rare on TV, where advertisers are still cautious and broadcasters adhere to government regulations about social responsibility.

Jewish News Weekly, 13 Feb 2015 - "You know, it's a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob, what is the matter with them?" That was President Richard Nixon speaking to his top aide, H.R. "Bob" Haldeman, during a recorded White House meeting back in 1971.

Spokesman-Review, 13 Feb 2015 - A federal judge declined Thursday to throw out the criminal case against the marijuana farmers dubbed the "Kettle Falls Five," setting up the likelihood of another trial delay two years after charges were filed. When it commences, it may be the trial of the Kettle Falls Four.

New Mexico Legalization Bill Wins Committee Vote. The Senate Rules Committee today 5-4 to approve a constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana in the state, marking the first time any legalization measure there has won a legislative vote. The measure is SJR 2. The legislation heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee next.

North Dakota Decriminalization Bill Gets Committee Hearing. The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday held a hearing on House Bill 1394, introduced by Rep. Lois Delmore (D-Grand Forks). The bill would make possession of less than a half ounce a civil infraction; it is currently a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail. The committee took no action on the bill.

Medical Marijuana

California Bill to End Organ Transplant Denials for Medical Marijuana Patients Filed. Assembly member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) has introduced Assembly Bill 258, the Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act, a bill aimed at preventing medical marijuana patients from being denied organ transplants. The Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act is sponsored by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), which has long advocated for patients seeking organ transplants, including Norman B. Smith, a medical marijuana patient who died in 2012 after being denied a liver transplant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Michigan Legislature Prepares to Take Up Dispensaries Legislation. Supporters of medical marijuana are readying themselves to push a dispensary bill through the legislature. Rep. Mike Callton (R-Nashville) announced today that he would sponsor a new bill to regulate "provisioning centers." The bill is not yet available on the legislative web site. Similar measures were expected to pass last year, but stalled at session's end.

House Panel Signals Support for Asset Forfeiture Reforms. Members of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations agreed at a hearing Wednesday that asset forfeiture reforms are needed. Lawmakers said they intended to go beyond reforms to the federal Equitable Sharing Program that Attorney General Holder announced last month. "There are systemic problems in the current system of civil forfeiture," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), chairman of the Judiciary Committee. His support will be crucial for bills to move.

Harm Reduction

Idaho Overdose Reversal Drug Bill Filed. The House Health and Welfare Committee Wednesday introduced a bill that would increase access to the opiate overdose reversal drug naloxone. The committee will now consider the bill. If it approves it, it will get a House floor vote. The bill is not yet available on the legislative website.

Virginia Harm Reduction Bills Moving. Three bills that would expand access to the opiate overdose reversal drug naloxone are moving in the General Assembly. HB 1833, which would expand naloxone access to law enforcement agencies, has passed the House Courts of Justice Committee and is awaiting consideration by the full House. HB 1458 and SB 1186, which would give first responders and the general public more access to naloxone, provide civil protection to those who administer the drug, and allow family and friends of opiate users to obtain prescriptions, are also moving. The House has passed HB 1458 and sent it to the Senate. The Senate Education and Health Committee unanimously endorsed SB 1186, which is now before the full Senate.

Sentencing Reform

Broad Coalition Calls for Serious Criminal Justice Reforms in Congress. The current Congress is already seeing a flurry of bills aimed at reforming various aspects of the federal criminal justice system, and now, a broad coalition of faith, criminal justice reform, and civil and human rights groups is calling for the passage of legislation that will dramatically reduce the size of the federal prison system. The groups, which include the United Methodist Church, the NAACP, the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, the Drug Policy Alliance, and dozens of other organizations, this week sent a letter to the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Judiciary committees setting out a statement of principles on what meaningful federal-level criminal justice reform should include. Click on the story link for more details.

International

UN Report Says Taliban Increasingly Relies on Criminal Financing. The Taliban is increasingly relying on heroin labs, illegal mining activities, kidnapping rings, and other criminal enterprises to finance its operations, according to a new report for the UN Security Council. The report says there is a new "scale and depth" to the group's integration with criminal networks, and that could make negotiating peace more difficult. "They are increasingly acting more like 'godfathers' than a 'government in waiting,'" a panel of experts who advise the Security Council on sanctions said in the report made public late on Tuesday. The report called for more sanctions.

Tulsa World, 12 Feb 2015 - Cannabidiol, Extracted From Marijuana, Is Used to Treat Severe Epileptic Seizures. OKLAHOMA CITY - The House of Representatives voted 99-2 Wednesday to legalize an active marijuana ingredient used in the treatment of severe epileptic seizures.

Spokesman-Review, 12 Feb 2015 - As Valley Moves Toward a Moratorium, Citizen Wants Consistent Laws As the Spokane Valley City Council moved its proposed marijuana moratorium on to a second reading without much commotion or public testimony, Tara Harrison listened from the back of the room.